Mary Queen of Scots: The Fair Devil of Scotland

by Jean Plaidy

Mary Queen of Scots is the most romantic and enigmatic queen in history. When she came to Scotland from a life of cloistered luxury at the French Court she was pitched into the center of a political storm. She found Scotland barbaric, hostile - and fascinating. When her marriage to the arrogant Lord Darnley ended in murder, and Mary was abducted by Bothwell, the brutal, ambitious Scottish lord who had plotted Darnley's death, she was on the road that was to lead her to the execution block.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Scotland, Historical, Biography, France, British Literature

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia

Reviews

[S.B. Niccum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not historical fiction, this was history told in the most entretaining way possible. Jean Plaidy makes you forget you are reading a history book because she is a master story teller. I love reading history when you are enjoying yourself!

[Ari Apa]

Brilliantly told history of Mary Queen of Scots. It reads like a story, like history should be read. A clearly sympathetic look at the young Queen's tragic life.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was hesitant to read this one, given the sub title. Luckily I was pleasantly surprised for the majority of the book, despite it being written in 1975. It was largely supportive of Mary, something she lacked for most of her life.

While I don't think Mary is someone who can be admired for her decision-making skills, she was by all accounts a kind person in unkind times. Mary was a young woman who trusted easily, and could not fathom at being treated as anything but a queen - due to her comfortable upbringing at Court in France. I can't imagine such a terrible series of events, to lose a doting father in law, mother (from afar), and husband in such a short time, it is no wonder that for the rest of her life, Mary would crave and seek whatever affection she could find.

The biggest issue I have with this book is the author's presentation of facts in regards to Bothwell's likely rape of Mary. To say that Mary welcomed this, that she enjoyed it, was so terribly ridiculous, I contemplated not finishing the book at that point. I don't believe Mary was Bothwell's mistress before Darnley's murder. I believe he did rape her at Dunbar, and Mary felt she had no choice but to marry him. Of course, this was just one more mistake in the long series if mistakes that plagued Mary's adult life. Additionally, I found the author repeatedly referring to Bothwell as Mary's 'sexual awakening' to be highly disturbing. It too nearly made me stop reading.

As I read more and more about Mary, I feel more and more sympathy for this tragic figure. Her entire live was planned by men who cared only for their own ambitions. Mary had opportunities to break from them but perhaps could not, because she felt a deep sense of loyalty to those especially who were family. If only she had been treated in kind.

As always, Elizabeth is a manipulative spoiled brat who knew full well the death warrant would be carried out and was too much of a coward to appear at the trial. Such a vain woman knew from years of hearing if Mary's beauty and charm that she would certainly pale in comparison.

I can recommend this book, but perhaps only to those who already have a more firm knowledge base in regards to this much-maligned queen. There are certainly better books about Mary, particularly Linda Porter's Tudors Versus Stewarts, but there's a kind of charm in these old books that I find appealing, even if some of the facts are now shown to be wrong.

As a side note, I've visited Holyrood and always find it a little discomforting to read of Rizzio's murder. Having stood in that room and been where it actually occurred, gives me the chills.

[Amy Brandon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disjointed and disorganized but I was mostly disappointed in the misguided and dated ideas about rape and women’s sexuality.

[Gopi Sait · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Scotland holds a special place in my heart. It's where I fell in love once a long time ago. It moves me like very few places on this earth do. I've always wanted to know more about Mary. She fascinated me so much. And her story most perfectly comes alive in an absolutely pitch perfect writing.

[Patty Holmes]

Read this years ago, as a young girl.

[Garret Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am trying to figure out why this considered a modern classic. The characters were flat on a good day and the flow was pretty good. Other than that, not much going on here.

[Christina Strause-stalkfleet · Rating 3 out of 5]

gives you a little insight on how people of the royal courts were and what the people would do to be a part of that inner circle. Also talks about Mary's relationship with Victoria and many others she's allowed to get close to her including her husbands and consorts. the story seemed to drag along in a lot of places and sometimes would be hard to resume reading.

[Morgana Meader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is so engaging and filled with wonderful detail. Very well researched and portrays Mary as not a distant figure but a true relatable woman. It is through this that you are taken on the journey with Mary throughout her life. I highly recommend it if you are interested in Scotish history.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS by Jean Plaidy, presents a very positive interpretation of a life thoroughly lived and suffered through. It is more personally told than books presently written and mostly focuses on Mary's friendships. It leads me to believe that her greatest gift was her warmth and vivacity.

[Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading again this excellent exceptional unique unsurpassed biography . it's really fantastic . Jean plaidy is such a great writer , I've probably read almost all her books but twice just a few and this is one of the best 👌👍❤️

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biography that was researched well enough but can't hold a candle to today's biographers who have more resources at their disposal.

[Emma Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting insight into the life of Mary Stuart.

[Kt.]

Why are there so REVIEWS?

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

read in Edinburgh